St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital is the main provider of eye care in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. As a renowned teaching hospital, a key priority of St John is to train the next locally based generation of nurses and doctors. Research and development are also aspects of our charity’s work. The Eye Hospital works to deliver Vision 2020, aiming to eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness and implementing affordable eye care programmes.

The majority of our patients come from the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Access to specialist healthcare is limited. Most cannot move freely to see family or friends. Nearly half live below the poverty line.

Eye disease causing blindness is ten times more common in this region than in developed countries. 30% of the population is under the age of ten. Common conditions affecting children are squint, infantile glaucoma, cataract and trauma. In adults cataract, glaucoma and the complications of diabetes are the main blinding conditions. Up to 80% of all blindness is preventable.

Training local Doctors and Nurses is also an essential objective. In training local people, we invest in the region and help to rebuild its fractured infrastructure.

Research continues to be of great importance. In addition to
The Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) study, carried out by the Hospital in 2008, is the only ophthalmic epidemiology study undertaken in the OPT.
Our study of Behçets Disease is conducted in collaboration with the Rheumatology Department at Hadassah Medical Centre, Israel, and St. Thomas’ & Kings College Hospitals, London. The management of this disease is problematic due to incomplete knowledge of the mechanisms determining its course.

The primary aim of the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group to elimate preventable blindness in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT).